"When a big country sneezes, a small country will be turned upside down. Yahiko, your current concept of 'peace' is as fragile as a piece of paper in the face of these huge interests." Senju Chen said calmly.
"Then what should we do?" Yahiko asked eagerly, "Can we just give up?"
"Give up? Of course not." Senju Chen smiled, but his eyes were as cold as knives, "Actually, from the side, this may not be a good thing for you, because you are not the only ones who have to face these, Hanzo of the Salamander also has to face these."
"Compared to you, Hanzo of the Salamander is actually more passive, because he is now the real person in power of Land of Rain, and what you have to do now is no longer to confront Hanzo of the Salamander head-on., don't worry about the forces funded by big countries, let them attack and consume each other first. What you have to do later is to shrink, to lie dormant, and to use the reputation you have accumulated among the people to do everything you can to win over those available people who were oppressed in the war."
"As long as you slowly accumulate, gradually control the people's hearts, and in the end even replace Hanzo of the Salamander, it is not impossible to truly control Land of Rain."
"But if we don't care about these forces, once they start fighting, won't it be the poor people at the bottom who suffer?" Yahiko frowned and retorted after hearing what Senju Chen said.
"Do you think that if you go to fight these forces now, the people at the bottom will not be harmed? Yahiko, this is a life-and-death kind of war. Once you are dead, do you think who else can save those at the bottom?"
After listening to Senju Chen's words, Yahiko struggled in his eyes, and finally took a deep breath. "I understand. We are not going to confront them head-on now, but what we have to do is to gradually turn the entire Land of Rain into our 'home field'."
"That's right." Senju Chen nodded approvingly, "Remember, as soon as Konoha's new Hokage takes over, Land of Rain's situation will turn around. Before that, all you have to do is survive and... become stronger."
After the situation calms down, as for whether "Akatsuki" can still sit on Land of Rain's "dining table" instead of becoming a "dining table" serving dishes, it depends on the efforts of the three of them.
After the conversation, Senju Chen took Nagato to an abandoned cellar behind the factory for a separate interview.
The cellar was dark and damp, and the air was filled with a musty smell.
Senju Chen waved his hand and motioned for him to sit down, "Nagato, I want to call you out alone. I have something about your eyes and I want to talk to you alone."
Senju Chen was sitting on a rock with a deep gaze, "Nagato, have you ever thought about why these eyes appear on you?"
Nagato was silent. This was the deepest fear in his heart, and it was also a problem he had never dared to face.
"These eyes are not only a source of power, but also a huge 'bait'." Senju Chen's voice became deeper. "It allows you to control life and death, but it will also swallow your life. And, most importantly, when you overuse it, you may... attract something you shouldn't attract."
"What do you mean?" Nagato looked up, his eyes full of doubts.
"You should be familiar with how to use these eyes." Senju Chen looked directly into his eyes, "But Nagato, promise me, no matter how desperate the situation is, no matter how powerful the enemy is, never use Summoning Technique to summon 'that thing'."
Nagato was stunned. "That thing?"
"Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, or slough." Senju Chen spit out the name.
Nagato Although he didn't know what it was specifically, he could feel the... danger in Senju Chen's tone.
"There are too many secrets hidden in these eyes. There will be no problem in normal use, but once you summon Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, your position will be exposed to the entire Shinobi World, or to the 'rats' hiding in dark corners. At that time, your eyes will no longer be a weapon to protect everyone, but a 'container' in the eyes of those people."
Senju Chen walked over and held Nagato's shoulders. "Remember, Rinnegan's power is your own, not that monster's. Don't try to rely on it, otherwise, one day, you will be completely replaced by it."
Nagato felt the strength coming from his shoulders, which was the only warmth given by Senju Chen. He nodded heavily, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes. "I understand, Chen-kun. I... will never use it indiscriminately."
"Very good." Senju Chen let go of his hand and raised a gentle smile on his lips, "As long as you are yourself, these eyes are invincible."
Watching Nagato walk out of the cellar, Senju Chen smiled.
This is also the precaution Senju Chen takes in advance. As long as Nagato does not use Rinnegan to summon Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, then his use of Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to mass-produce White Zetsu will not be discovered.
If Nagato really summoned Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, but Obito and Black Zetsu discovered that there were a bunch of unformed White Zetsu hanging on Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, it would be a lot of fun.
In the corridor of the factory, the lights are dim.
Konan was leaning against the wall quietly, as if waiting for him. When she saw Senju Chen coming out, an imperceptible fluctuation flashed through her cold eyes.
"Nagato Is he... okay?"
"It's okay, I just talked about some power control." Senju Chen walked to her side and looked sideways at the girl who grew up in the rain.
The paper roses in her hair are still as white as new.
"Konan, you seem to have something to ask me."
Konan lowered his head and tangled his fingers unconsciously in his hair. "Yahiko Those two 'mysterious masters' that I mentioned before... were actually arranged by you, right?"
Senju Chen smiled, "You are indeed so smart. You guessed right. After receiving the letter you wrote to me, I sent them over."
"Why?" Konan raised his head, with complex emotions flashing in his orange eyes, "Since you have been helping us, why don't you just say it?"
"Because leaders need to grow by themselves." Senju Chen said softly, "If I say that I am helping you, your self-confidence will be shaken. You will feel that everything is because of me, not because of you. Yahiko needs the feeling of 'we can do it ourselves', and Nagato needs the sense of responsibility of 'I can protect everyone'."
He reached out and gently touched the paper rose in her hair. "As for you...Konan, you don't need that false confidence. You have always been sober."
A blush appeared on Konan's cheeks, and she avoided Senju Chen's eyes in a panic. "I... I just..."
"Just what?" Senju Chen came closer, the distance between the two was so close that they could feel each other's breathing.
"I just feel... you are really annoying sometimes." Konan muttered.
"Hate it?" Senju Chen chuckled and reached out to gently lift the hair beside her ear, "If you hate it, why do you keep wearing the flower I gave you?"
Konan's face instantly turned red. She subconsciously wanted to cover the paper rose, but Senju Chen gently held her wrist.
When the fingertips touched, the cold rainy night seemed to become warm instantly.
"Konan."
"Huh?"
"No matter what happens in the future, remember, I will always be on your side." Senju Chen's voice was low and gentle, with an unquestionable power. "Whether it is Hanzo of the Salamander or anyone else, as long as they dare to touch you, I will make them pay a price they can't afford."
Konan looked at him, those cold eyes finally melted and turned into a pool of affectionate spring water.
"Chen-kun..."
At this moment, the sound of rain outside seemed to disappear, and only the two of them were left in the whole world.
"I will always wear this flower." She said softly.
"Until... you don't need it anymore."